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Radio tower hearing cancelled, proposal rejected

In a surprise move, the Whatcom County hearing examiner has rejected the controversial application to erect radio transmission towers in Point Roberts.
Radio towers
Many residents on both sides of the border are opposed to a plan to erect a series of radio towers in Point Roberts.

In a surprise move, the Whatcom County hearing examiner has rejected the controversial application to erect radio transmission towers in Point Roberts.

The examiner was set to convene a five-day county public hearing next week on the proposal by BBC Broadcasting Inc. to erect five 45-metre (150-foot) towers on an undeveloped lot on McKenzie Way, about 330 metres from the Tsawwassen border.

However, the examiner issued a decision Tuesday morning rejecting the proposal on the basis it does not conform to height requirements.

It was a surprise move because county planning staff had recommended approval of the project, saying it met all requirements, including height.

As a result of the examiner's decision, the hearing, which was expected to draw a large crowd from both sides of the border, has been cancelled.

Among those scheduled to speak at the hearing were MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Delta CAO George Harvie and MLA Vicki Huntington. Findlay recently delivered a petition with over 3,000 names to the House of Commons.

Members of the Cross Border Coalition Against the Towers were quick to applaud the decision, saying their lawyers were correct in stating the height did not meet zoning requirements.

Opponents had been lobbying hard against the proposal, claiming it was fraudulent and flawed. They were concerned over blanketing interference from the radio towers causing havoc with household electronic devices.

The towers would have transmitted South Asian radio station KRPI, AM 1550, which currently broadcast from studios in Richmond to a Lower Mainland audience.

The broadcaster uses antenna located in Ferndale, Wash., but wanted to move them closer and have a stronger 50,000-watt, all-day signal.

The Federal Communications Commission granted approval but a permit was still required by Whatcom County.